Mechanical pencil



Feb. 9, 1932. I 1; E, KUCHR v 1,844,095

MECHANICAL PENCIL Filed June 2, 192B A F. .8, 'o5 los wn'NEss 95 Ff'gfu;

INVENTOR 1E. Kuchr BY W@ ATToR EY Patented Feb. 9, 19.32

iness Josera E. xucnna, or JERSEY crrY, iiEw .imm

uncamrcar. PENCIL Application 'led June 2, 1928. Serial No. 282,480.

My invention relates to mechanical pencils i and especially -to mechanical pencils of the magazine type, wherein'a plurality of leads or units of writing material are successively a fed to thev oint of the pencil for writing purposes, an it has for anobject to provide a pencil of the character designated which may operate with an extraordinary degree of reliability and which, in additiomshallbe so X0 constructed as to be relatively inexpensive to manufacture. v

It has for another object to provide a mechanical pencil in which the several units of writing material may be fed successively' and .continuously to the point of the pencil without requiring any dismantling or temporary removal of any of the pencil parts.-

It has for still another object to provide a mechanical pencil which will not only contain, but` will be capable of feeding to the pencil point solely by its own feeding mechanism', a quantity of writing material having an oyerall length several times that of the ne It has for still another object to provide in `such a pencil an actuating mechanism which shall be capable of feeding the writinginaterial to the'point of-the pencil irrespective-of the direction of rotation of the actuating element.

l It has for still another object to provide a.y

pencil in which the actuating mechanism is capable of automaticall and successively feeding to the point of t e pencil the entire number of umts of writing material contained in its magazine and 'which feeding mechanism shall not require any returnmovement either'- while the pencil' is in use or at such times as the magazine of the pencil is being refilled.

It has for still another object to provide a mechanical pencil which requiresno individual insertion or handling' of-the several units of writing nmterialot-her than in bulk when refilling the magazine.

` It has for still another object to provide a mechanical pencil wherein the mechanism for feeding the clement of writing material `from the magazine', toward the pencil point is actuated by a cam member.

ly in elevation, of the pencil shown in Fig. 1; 7

.diate the point and the top ofthe pencil; and,

It has for still another object to provide a form of construction for pencils of the above character which will permit of ready assembly 'of the actuating mechanism within'the pencil casing and which will permit lthe actuating member to be located either at the upper end of the pencil, near the point of the pencil or at any intermediate location between the y point and the upper end of the pencil.

These and other ob'ects, which will bel made apparent throughout the further description of myinvention, may be attained' by the employment of the apparatus hei-einn after described land illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: 65 Fig. 1 is av view, in sectional elevation, of one. form of mechanical pencil arrangedin accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in Asection and part- Figs, 3, 4 and 5 are views in sectional elevation taken on the lines III--ILV--IV and V-V of Fig. 1, respectively;

Fig. 6` is a view, in elevation, of the member utilized in Fig. l for retaining the conveying tube in position within the pencil casing at the point en d of the pencil;

Fig. 7 is a view, in' sectional elevation, taken on the line 'VH-VII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a viewY1 in elevation of another form of retaining member which I may employ in lieu of that shown in Fig. .6;

Fig. 9 is a'partial View, in section, of another form of pencil wherein the construction of the point endy is somewhat different from .85 that embodied in the pencil shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a view, partly, in section and partly in elevation, of another embodiment of my invention and shows a form of mechanical pencil wherein the'movable element controlling the feeding ofv thefwriting material is located at the point of the pencil;

Fig. 11 is a view, partly in section and partly in'elevation, of still another embodiment of my invention and shows a form of ,mechanical pencil wherein thev movable element controlling theV feeding'of the writing material is located at some position interme- Fig. 12 is a view, in elevation, of the point of the pencil shown in Fig. 11.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, I show a pencil comprising the casing 21 which, when in writing position, has an upper or cylindrical portion 22 and a converging or tip portion 23. Secured or forced into the tip portion 23 is a small thin tube or tip piece 24 which provides firmness at the orice in pencils wherein the tip portion may be composed of Celluloid, rubber, etc. As shown in Fig. 1, the tip portion 23 and the cylindrical portion-22 of the casing are preferably made of a single, unitary piece of material, preferably composed of rubber, Celluloid, etc., while the tip piece 24 is preferably metallic. The tip piece 24 is preferably, nicked or provided with suitable means for scoring or scratching the Writing material for preventin it from slipping out of the pencil when it is beyond control of the feeding mechanism. As shown,

the arrangement is such that thetip iece 24 is relatively short, longitudinally. owever,

itis to be understood that other forms of tip constructions may be embodied in the pencil which I have invented, one of which will presently be described.

Located at the end 22 of the pencil is a cap 25 rictionally engaging and carried b a tubular member 26 rotatable within the cy inder 22 and suitably notched or embossed as .V at 27, for engaging the cap 25, the arrangei be utilized ment being such thatvthe cap 25 may be readily removed and replaced upon 'the tubular member 26 and'yet, when in position upon the latter, engages it'snugly enough to permit it to to rotate the tubular member 26 to feed .the writing material tothe point of the pencil.

The tubular member 2 6 forms a magazine` v28 for retaining a plurality of leads or elements of writing material such as indicated at 29. The proportions of the magazine 28 are preferably such that themagazine will accommodate one complete set or roup of leads as sold commercially in indivi ual contamers for use in various makes of mechanical pencils. The tubular member26 is arranged to retain an eraser 31, which eraser is made available upon removal of the cap25. The eraser 31, is arranged so as to be easily removable romtubular member 26 in order that the eraser eithermay be replaced or in order that the magazine 28 may be refilled.

The tubular member 26 is provided with a reduced diametral portion 34- havin a radially extending tiange'portion 35, tg tion 34 serving as a aring to engage 'a cylindrical retaining member 36, shown in elevav tion in Fig. 5. As shownV particularly in the be readily pressed into the top end of the A casing, the prongs 37 bein sufliciently iiex1' ble to permit-this. Upon t e, retaining member' 36 being inserted in the casing to the desired depth, the prongs 37 seize either the casing or suitable recesses therein and thus effect a permanent, reliable and easily constructedvretaining means f r the upperend-,of the entire pencil mech `sm. In 'this Way, accidental removal of the pencil mechanism from the casing'is positively prevented. While I have shown the retaining member 36 as provided with a pluralit of star-shaped prongs, it is to be understoo some cases the prongs riphery of the retaining membe'rscrvin to that for various forms of pencil casings, the shape and arrange? ment of the prongs may. be varied and in dispensed with, the peengage the inner surface of the pencil casing.

Disposed coaxially within the casing 21 and extending throughout the greater length thereof is a conveying tube 38 which communicates at its upper end with the maga-- zine 28 and at its lower end with the tip piece 24. The conveying tube 38 is' provided with a bore to suit the diameter of they writing material 29 and to convey the same to the tip piece 24. Disposed within the magazine ,28 is a, concave disc member 39 provided with a central opening 41 communicating with the bore of the conveying tube. The arrangethat, when the pencil is in writing'pos'ition. the various elements of writing material have a tendency to move toward the center of the pencil andV to singly and in sequence enter the conveying tube. Surrounding the conveying tube 38 at the magazine end of the pencil is a cani actuating cylinder 42 a por`- tion of which is interposed between the conveying tube 38 and the retaining member 36. The cam' actuating cylinder 42 is provided with longitudinally extending slots 43, which slots are. slidably engaged by suitable prongs 44, the arrangement be' such that angular movement of the pene' ca 25 results in angular movement of the tu ular member 26 and consequent angular movement of the cam actuating cylinder 42.

3 Secured to the cam actuating cylinder-42 is a cam 45 which rotates therewith and .slidably engages fingers 46 and 47. While 1 have .described the.v member 45 as a cannit is to befunderstood that m invention ia not ment of the concave disc member 39. is such confined strictly thereto as may employ any vias g the Ipencil magazine presenting a gradual rise over half of the 'circumference and a corresponding recession over the other half, the amount of maximum rise and fall being s determined by -the predetermined distance the fingers 46 and 47 arefto retreat and advance along the line of axis of the pencil mechanism. The cam- 45 maybe either I formed .integrally with the cam actuating cylinder 42 or formed separately and permanently attached thereto. The arrangement of theactuating mechanism is such that-while one finger, such as 46, is moving toward the pencil point the other finger,such as 47, is returning toward the the feeding of the writing material is made v even more uniform and in which case the restepped: or set back somewhat from the axis terial and, as a consequence, may be disposed spective fingers .would successively feed the writing material and thence return toward the magazine. t

Each finger is provided with engagin portions, such as serrated teeth 48,'whic engaging portions extend into the interior of the conveying tube through suitable longitudinal slots or openings 49 rovided in the v latter. The teeth 48 are pre erably inclined in such a direction as to securely engage the writing material when the finger is moving in a forward direction, that is, from the magazine toward the .pencil point and, at thev same time, to slip over and not. influence the movement of the writing material when moving in the opposite direction, that is, from the pencil point toward the magazine. The

teeth -near` the magazine ware preferably of the pencil', as shown, in order to permit `the writing material to gain entrance between the two opposing fingers at such timesusthey do not already contain any writing main abutting relation.

For preventing dislodgment of the fingers 46 `and 47, a retaining member 51 is provided, which retaining memberhas a cylindrical portion 52 properly supported upon or f ixedly retained with respect`to the conv eying tube 38 and another and' largercyiindrical portion 53, the latter portion havingfits outer diameter snugly fitting the bore of -the casing 22. Suitable longitudinal openings 54 are provided in the;retaining.

memberand the-fingers 46 and 47 extend through these openings and are guided by and freely retained therein, thearrangement able shoulder,

being such that the retaining member 51 does not in any way interfere with the freedom of .movement of both finger pieces. The functions of the retaining member-51 are tov retain and guide the fingers 46 and 47; to

centralize the `entire pencil feeding mechanism; fand to provide a solid and uniform backing for the fin e'rs 46 and 47 inasmuch as some materials o which the pencil casing may be composed, such as celluloid, may vary considerably in diameter and may, in addition, shrink. l

For retaining the fingers 46 and 47 in bearing engagement with the writing material,

aspring member 55 is provided, which spring member has a cylindrical portion. 56 for supportino` it upon the conveying tube. A suit.-l

or notch, such as 57', as well as clips 58 are provided for engaging the j i conveying tube 38 for insuring against any longitudinal displacement of the spring member. Spring clips 59 and 61 are provided on the spring member for engaging the lfingers 46 and 47, respectively. As shown particularly in Fig. 1, the spring clips 59 and 61 are-so formed in 4relation to their cooperating fingers 46- and147 that when the finger 46, for exam le, is moving in a forward direction, the spring clip 59 abuts against the bore of the encil casing and consequently exerts consi erable thrust .upon its associated finger, whereas, when the finger, for' example, 47 is at the same time-returning toward the magazine, the spring Aclip 61 is permitted to m'ove inwardly toward the axis of the pencil and is therefore not held in abutting relation with the-bore of the pencil cas- Iing and consequently exerts .very little force.

upon the finger 47. I have found such an arrangement to be especially advantageous in that it insures a positive gripping of the writing material by the finger moving forward, while, at the same time, the 'returning finger does not interfere in the slightest with the forward movement 'of the writing 'material. The spring clips 59 and Glare each provided with ears 60 which straddle the ends of the fingers 46 and 47. These ears serve to partially guide the fingers but are provided principally to prevent the serrated ends of the fingers being so held in abutting relation as to effectively close the opening m the conveying tube at such times as no writ.. ing material may be present therein. Forl this purpose the aforementioned earsare so formed as to abut against the outer surface ofj the conveying tube and thus the inward movementbf thel spring clips 59' and 61 is limited.-

The springmember 55 may be provided at its forward end with two additional spring clips 62- which extend longitudinally through y suitable openings 63 provided in the conveying tube. .The clips 62 preferably have suitable engaging edges 64 so arranged as to per "ine back into the pencil. However,"as constructed, the clips'62do not preventthe material being forced back into thel pencil should, 'by'v chance, the user extrude an excessiveamount if writinginaterial.

1, lland 2, the tip piece 24 is preferably 'forced- 'lasV In the form ofconstruction shown in into the casing. For retaining the forward endjof the conveying tube 38 in proper posi- 'tioii -within kthe .casingl may provide a rel tainereollaror? diaphragm 65. As shown particularly in 4Figs. 6 land 7, the vretaining collar or diaphragm is flat in normal -position and its outer f lianieteris slightly larger v than the hole itv enters. `Being preferably composed of a materiaIsuch as; for exam vpleatempered spring steel, it assumes a concave form when forced yintothe e, ncil casmg and assumes axed position cause of- 'the natural radial springteiision it. consequently exerts. It. is obvious that such a. form of retaining member cannot besretractedbut can only be forced throughthe 'pen Y 'cil casing in one longitudinal direction. Be-

Y casin iexible prongsl 6'? which preferably co'mlosedof a material rela `tively 4harder than. material of the 'pencil mitte 'to remain stationary; It is provided with a central opening 66,'as',shown,forming rmly engage the tube 38. when the latter is resse'd he retaining collar is insertedinto. the casing conveyi to the proper depth and I mayl provide a circular groove 68 for-receiving it, although the provision of such a groove may be entirely dispensed with because of the fact. that such a forni of retaining member is'capa'ble -of maintaining a Viiired and 'pernianeiitfpoai-y *tion by engagement' withsonly the smooth bore of thefpencil casing.' l"The provision of a. retainingfinember of" this character forms :i1-very{importaiit:part pf l my Vinvention, as it-provides-a permanent-and-fixed,ns well as easily constructed andfreadily 'assembled means for retaining the conveyingtube with-v in the pencil casng. As shown in Fig. 8, the retaining collar may, if desired,' be provided with a'pl'urality. of notches' or arcuate recesses 69 .disposed about its periphery, the latter being preferably staggered radially relative-to the notches or recesses 70 order to make the retainingmember as flexible -as posible. 1

I- 'From the foregoing, the opleration o f my imllrovedfrmof pencilmec anism wi ll be apparent .Upon the rst elementpf writing material entering the conveying tube 88` it 4 thev pencil .it bites` into the latter. when perl enters the 'I between the teeth of the opposing. rs 46 and 37 "because, as stated heretofore, e teeth of the iingers nearest the magazine are recessed fvith'respect to the other teeth in order to msurethe writing material gaining entrance and 47 as would hold them in abuttii'i' 'relation and interfere'gin'anyway7 with yt eentrance therebetween ofthe writing material.` Anular movement' of the cap 25 is transmitte by the tubular member 26 and the cam actuating cylinder ,42 tothe cam .45.; Rotational movement ofthe latter.v causesjoneV fin gerto move forwardftowards the point of thus feeding the writi'iiginaterial throughftte conveying tube, while the .aber linger is simultaneously moved toward the magazine in preparation for its stroke. It "apparentfrom tIiesf'ore going descri tion,'that|the 'writing material, while being,v edzliltlnyA cil'poinhisnot rotated or moved v ut `is fedf'in. 'a straight axial or longitudinal direction.` it. will also be apparent' that no matter' whether the cap 25 is turned ina clockwiseor counterthan ample because, in thenormal operation of writing, the is subjected to sailij cient agitatienfto insure prompt, ,discharge lofl writing material elements out of the magazine and into the` .conveying tube.- .Such movement is, of course, greatly facihtated by the concaveddisc member 39: With further reference to the time-lag or interval permissible for the entrance f of vsuccessive elements of writing material into the conve g tube, this time-lag may beequal to'two t ree or more elements, depending upon the Alength of the pencil.

From theiforegoing it will be apparent that ,lf have provided 'a form of'inechanical pencil feeding.

wherein succeesiveelements of material may befed in sequencey to the pencil pointjmerelybyangular adjustment of the cap 25, Of special importanee iathe fact that with my improvodeomtruction, lthe feeding mechanismneed never be reversed preparatory to an `additionalelement of writing materi In other words every anqular adjustment of the cap 25 results in feednueces ing writing material the pencil point and no other movement of the pencil cap is ever required except' atsuch times as it mayl arranged that the actuating element may be l located eithei'- at the top of the pencil, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or near the point of the pencil, as shown in Fix?. .10, or at some position intermediate of the point and the top of the pencil, as shown in Fig. 11.'l

Referring now to Fig. l0, 1 show a pencil casing 81 provided with, a tip piece 82. Int'crposed vbetween the casing 81 and the tip piece 82 and mechanically Joined thereto is :in-actuating element 83 connected by a cylinder 84 to an actuating cam 85. The actuating cani has associated therewith reciprocating finger members 86 and 87 which act in the manner heretofore described to feed writing material through the conve ing tube 88 to.

the pencil. point. A retaining member 89, `such as represented by reference character 36 in Fig. 1, is prefeiabl provided as shown.'

, Such an arrangement `o the actuating mechanism permits the user to move the actuating' element to feed writing material to the pencil point merely by movement of the tips of the fingers without. in any way materially altering the position of the pencil inthe usci-s hand.. It is therefore apparent that such an arrangement of actuating mechanism possesses extraordinary advantages.

Referring now to Fig. 1 1 the actuating elenwnt is shown at 91 and is located at'some point intermediate of the top of the pencil and the point of the encil.v In this embodiment the actuating e ement is ,cylindrical and has proyided in its bere a helical groove 92 which engages fingers 93 and 94, the arrangement being such that the latter are reciprocated by the angular movement of the actuat-` -ing member 91 so as to feed writin material through the conve ing tube 95 in t e manner heretofore descriged. In both` the pencil shown in Figs. 10 and 1 1, a cap 96'is rovided but in betlio'f theseembodiinents t e cap is made removable merely for permitting access to the eraser and for refilling the pencil magazine inbnlk and is'not utilized in any way to actuate the pencil feeding mechanism.

In Fig. 11 I show another form of pencil point 97 which I may employ. The point 9 7 is preferablyv screwed into a converging portion 98 of the pencil casing and need notV connect mechanically with .the conveying tubs, 95. The pencil point end of the conveying tnbe 95 may, however, be supported or aligned with respect to the 'tip piece 97 by having it engage -a suitablebore 99 provided in the pencil casing. `As stated; heretofore,

the bore ofthe tip piece 97 ispreferably -nicked or deformed so as ,to score or scratch 23 and the c lindrical portion 22 are formed I from a sing e or unita y piece of material, nevertheless, it is to be nderstood that I may form these two portions of the pencil casing separately and then join themtogether, as shown in Fig. 9. In this figure, 101 represents the pencil casing and 102 the/converging por# tion of the pencil casin ,the latter being se. cured, as by screw threa s 103 or otherwise, to the cylindrical portion 101. A tip iece 1 04 is provided in the ,usual manner. ith such an arrangement, the conveying tube 105 'may be supported in the converging portion 102 and need not be mechanically connected to fthe tip piece 104. With this arran ement, I

may also.' provide a retaining co ar 106, similar to that shown in 4Figs. 6, 7 or 8, for facilitating assembly of the pencil feeding mechanism within the pencil casing. How-` ever, it is obvious that with the forin of construction shown in Fig. 9, the retaining collar may, if desired, be dispensed with.

While each of the embodiments of my in vention which I have disclosed'relate to pencils of the magazine type, that is, pencils /ventional type wherein each successive element of Writing material must be separately and manually inserted into the feeding mechanism. l

Furthermore, while I have disclosed a form of pencil wherein each and every angular adjustment-of the actuating cam member results in a feeding action of the writing material from the magazine to the pencil point, nevertheless it is to be understood that my cam-actiiatin form of feeding mechanism is also applicablb action is not responsive to every angular vjustment of the cam member.

While I have shown my invention in several forms it will Abe obvious to those skilled in limitations shallbe placed thereupon las are wherein the various elements of writin `ma to pencils wherein aie feedrg m the are that it is 'not so limited-but is mmcep-l y the zine to the point, an adjustable actuatin e eof leads, a magazine 'cessive leads from t e m 4 exterior y ment having of the casing for grasping and means responsive to any adjustment `of the actuating element for effecting a continuous feeding action for moving successive leads from the mazine through the conveying means toward e pencil point. r A

2. In a mechanical pencil the combination of a casing having a int f or leads carried y the casing and spaced from the point thereof,

means for guiding the leads from the mager zine'to the point, a rotatably adjustable actuatingelement having a portion disposed exteriorly of the casing for grasping, and means responsive to angularmovement of the actuating element, in either direction, for eectng a continuous feedin 'on for movin suc- Y 'thi-.oug the conviyling means toward e "ncil mt.

3, .a mechanical pencil t ecom ination of -a casing ha int lfor the projection of I eads, a magazine or leads carried by the casing and spaced from the point thereof, means for guiding the leads from the m zine to the point, an angularly adusta le actuatin element having a portion isposed of the casing forgrasping, and means res nsiveA to angular adjustment of the actuating element, in either direction, for moving. successive leads throu h the guiding means .in one direction only, at is from the magazine toward the pencil point;

4. In a mechanical pencil the combination of a casing-having a oint forthe proection of leads, a magazine or leads carried casing and spaced from the point thereof, a conduit communicating with the magazine for conveying leads to the pencil int, said conduit havin openings provided in its sides, means provi ed within the' ma aziner for guiding the leads toward the con uit, an an# gularly adjustable actuating element having a portion disposed exterior y of the casing for grasping, and means extending into the opemngs in the conduit and nsive to angularA adjustments of the actuating element, in either direction, -for exerting an action for moving successive leads through the conduit toward the pencil point.v

5. In a mechanical pencil the combination of a casing having a point for the rojection of leads and a magzzne for leaiis spaced from and located a ve the point when the pencil is in writing position openings in its sides and a tube having' freely communicator the pro 'ection from' the point there0f a portion disposed exteriorly or the proection lead, and adj ythey any angular movement of the actuating element for exerting a positive-feedin action upon the leads in the conveying tube or mov-, ing the same through the tube in a direction toward the'pencil point.

` .6. I-n amechanical pencil,the combination 80 of a casing having a point for' the projection of leads, a magazine for leads carried by the casing and spaced from the point' thereof, means for guiding the leads from the magazine to the point, members reciproas cable within the casing for feeding successive leads through the guidin means from the magazine toward the penci point, means to causesaid feeding members to enga the j stable 4actuatingmm'eans ciprocating .said feeding mein rs, said actuating means being arranged to both retract and forward different feeding members simultaneously so as toieifect a feeding action for any4 movement of the 'actuating means. 7. I n a mechanical pencil the combination of a casing haviiiga oint or the projection of leads, a magazine or leads carried by the casing and spacedmfrom the point thereof.

means for guiding theleads from `the magazine to the point, reci rocatin members operable one after the ot er for feeding successive leads through the guidin means from the magazine toward .the penci point, means to cause said feeding members to engage the lead, and means for actuating said feeding members said actuating means including a portion disposed exteriorly of the casing for grasping.

8. In a mechanical pencil, the combination of a casing having a point for the projection of leads, a magazine for leads carried by the casing and spaced from the point I thereof, means for uiding the leads from the magazine to the point, reci rocable members having portions engaging t e leads for feed-v ing thesame through the guide means from the magazine toward the neil point, each of said reciprocating 'mem ers having their engagiigportions so formed as to feed the leads ring forward movements only, spring ineansfor retainin the feedin members in engagement with te leads, an means for actuating said feeding members, said actuating means having a portion disposed exteriorly of the casing for grasping.

9. In a mechanica pencil, the combination of a casing having a int for the projection of leads, a magazine for leads carried by the casing and spaced ffrom the point tmb thereof, means forguiding the leads from the magazine to tlie point, reciprocating memtheir forward movements progress and with the magazine to the vpencil decreasing force as their return movements progress, and lmeans for actuating said feeding members.

10. In a mechanical pencil, the combination of a casing having a point for the projection of leads, a magazine forleads carried' by the casinar aiidfs aced from the point thereof, means for gui ing the leads from point, a plurality of jaw members provided 1n the casin for feeding successive leads along the guiding means from the magazine toward the pencil.

oint, means for retaining the jaw members in resilient enga ement with 'the lead, and4 actuating means or said jaw members, said actuatingmeans being arranged to move-said jaw members in series relationship, whereby as one jaw member is moving forward from the magazine toward tlie pencil point another jaw member is returning preparatory to again moving forwardso that a continuous feeding action is exerted.

l1. Inl a mechanical pencil, the combination of a casing having a point for the pro- 'ection of leads, a magazine for leads carried y the casing 1and spaced from the point thereof, means for guiding the leads from the ma azine to the point, mechanism movable bac and forth within t-he casi-ng for feeding successive leads along the guiding means from the magazine toward the pencil point and means including a rotatably mounted cam member for actuating said feeding mechanism in both directions during revolution in one direction.

12. In a mechanical pencil, the combination of a casin having a point for the pro- ]ection yof lea s, a magazine for leads carried by the casin and s aced from the point thereof, means or gui ing the leads from of the casing for the magazine to the point, mechanism disposed within the casin for feeding successive leads along the gui ing means from the 'magazine toward the Apencil point, a rotata'blymoimted caminember for actuating said feed-ing mechanism, and means for angularly adjusting said cam member, said adjusting means having a portion4 disposed exteriorly mg' A 13. In a mechani pen '1,' the combination of a casing having a. point for the p rojection' of leeds, a magazine .for-leads cariadd ortions'for eiimounted cam member for reclprocating said )aw members alternately, the serrated portions of the res ective jaw membersl being formed to feed t e leads toward the pencil point when moving in a direction toward the-pencil point and Dineffective' to move the' leads when moving in the opposite direction, and means for angularl adjusting the cam' member.

14. n amechanical pencil, the-combination of a casing having a oint for the projection of leads, a rotatab y-mounted magazine for leads carried by the casing and disposed exteriorly of the casing for Vgrasping, .means for guiding the leads from the magazine to the pencil point, and means connected tothe magazine and responsive to any angular movement thereof .for ffe'eldiiig successive leads alongthe guiding ine-ans from the magazine toward the pei'ic'il ioint.

15. In a mechanical pencil, tV e combina-1 tion of a casing having a point for the projection of leads, a magazine for leads carried by the .casin and spaced from the. point thereof, sai mounted in the casing means for conveying the leads from thema4 azne to the pencil point, a bearing memble forretaining both the magazine and the conveying tube in axial alignment within. tlie'casing, said bearing member bein provided with a flexible portion for fixe ly enga ingr the bore of the casin and means inc uding mechanism rotatab y ymovable with the ma azine for feeding leads through the conveying means from magazine being rotatably 1 's aced from the point thereof, a detachable7 c osure for the magazine, said closure being v the magazine toward the pencil point upon angular adjustment of the magazine. 6. In a mechanical pencil, the combination of a -casing having a point for the proy the casin thereof, sai i i y Y mounted in the casing, a tube for conveying the-leads from the magazine tov the pencil point, said tube having openings in the'sidcs thereof, a bearing member for retaining both the magazine as well as an endportion of the tube in axial alignmentA within the casing, a second bearing member for retaining the other 'end 4of thel conveying tube in axial l' ent within the casing, both sind first and spaced from the point the pencil point.

ection of leads, a magazine for leads carriedA a an second bearing members .having ilexible 1 magazine being rotatably iss lar ad'ustments of :the t 17. In a mechanical-pencil, the combina? tion of a casing having a point. for the projection of leads, a magazine for leads" carried by the c asin'ar andspac'ed from the point thereof, said magazine being rotatably mounted, a' remove le closure for the ma azine disposed exteriorly ofthe casing or grasping, means freelycommunicating'with the magazine for conveying leads to the penso connected to the cam member as to be si multaneously reciprocated in opposite direc-- tions upon anglxlar movement of the -cam member,-where y with motion of the cam member, in either direction, 4one er member is moving in a direction from t e m'agazine toward the pencil point so as to feed the leads' to the latter, 4and Aspring means .for .retaining the r members in bearing engagement with t.-e leads.

18. In a mechanical pencil, .the combina# tion-of a casing having a point for the projection of leads, a magazine for leads carried by the casing and spaced from the point thereof, means for guiding theleadsi from the magazine to the point, a cam member rotatably mounted within the casing, a plural ity of feedingmembers disposed within the casing and eng ng, respectively, circumferentially spacllpportions of the cam member, said feeding vmembers being longitudinally movable in response to, rotation of the cam member, and means to cause the feeding members to engage the leads.

19. In a mechanical pencil, the combination with a casing having a point for the progection of leads and means disposed within thecasing for retainin a lead for rejection through said point, o lmeans for xedly securing the retaining means within the casmg and including a flexible diaphraggi formedl to exertv radial spring tension -tweenv the casing and said retaining means. 20. In a.mechanical pencil, the combina'- projection of -leads and means disposed within the casing for retaining a lead for projec-` tion through said point, of means for iixedly securing the retaining means within the cas ing and including a diaphragm secured tothe retaining mea-ns, said diaphragm having an initial outside dimension slightly larger than the inside dimension of vthe' casing. and said '.'diaphragm being composed of .a flexible material so as to assume a concavo-convex posi- -tion when forced into the casing,- whereby said retainin means and said casing are se cured 1u fixe -relative -position tion of radial spring tension.

21. In a' mec anical pencilz thecombina- 5 tion with a casing having a polnt for the prov.jectio'n ofllea'ds and means' the' casing for retaining a lead or fprojection 'and including a flexible diaphragm formed .to engage the retaining means by spring tencil point, a cam member disposed the caslng and rotatable with the magazine,`1ini ger members disposed on opposite sides of 1 the lead andhaving serrated portions forv engaging the same, said finger members being .being composed lof a ilegible materlal and tion with a casing having a point for the' by the exerf d within through said point, of means for Xedlysecuring the retaining means within the casing.

sion and the casing by spring tension.

22. InA a mechanical pencil, the combination with a casing having a point for the projection'of leads and means disposed within 5 the casing for retaining a lead for rejection through said point, -of means for ilixedly securingthe retaining means within the casing and including a diaphragm, said dia hragm havmg anv initial inside dimension slightly smaller than the outside dimension of the re- .taining means and an initial outside dimen- .diaphragm isA secured to both the retaining means .and the casing by spring tension.

23.In a mechanical pencil, the combination with acasing having a point for the projection of leads and means disposed with-- 1n the casing for retaininga lead for projection through said point, of means forsupporting the retaining means within thecasmg and including a flexible diaphragm disposed in bearing engagement with the retainingmeans and formed-to iixedly engage the casing by means of radial spring tension.

24. In a mechanicalpencil, thecombination with a casing having a point for the projection of leads and means disposed within the casing' for retaining a lead for projection through said point, of means for supporting posed of a flexible material so as to assume a concavo-convex position when forced into the casing, whereby said diaphragm and said casing areixedly secured to each other by means of radial spring tension. 25. In a mechanial pencil, the combination of a casing 'having a point for-the projection of leads, a magazine for leads carried by the casing and spaced fromthe point thereof, andr feeding mechanism disposed within the casin and including lead-engaging feeding` memgbers each movable in a forward direction toward the pencil point and in a backwarddirection away from Athe pencill point, means angularly adjustable in either direction for eecting a forward movement of one of the feeding members, and means to lcaise said feeding members to engagefthe 26.. In pencil, the combina-i130 tion of a casing having a point for the projection of leads, a magazine for leads carried by the casing and spaced from the point thereof, and feeding mechanism disposed within the casing and including a plurality of lead-engaging feeding membersl each movable `in a forward direction toward the pencil point and in a backward direction away from the pencil point, and a rotatably mounted cam member angularly adjustable in either direction for effecting a forward movementv of one of the feeding members, and means to cause said feeding members to engage the lead.

27. In a mechanical pencil, the combination of a casing having a point for the projection of leads, a magazine for leads carried by the casing and spaced from the point thereof, and feeding mechanism disposed within the casing including lead-engaging ferl ding members'each movable forward toward the pencil point and backward away from the pencil point and means an ularly adjustable in eitherdirection, for eecting a backward movement of one of the feeding members. l

28. In a mechanical pencil, the combination of 'a casing having a point for the projection of leads, a magazine for-leads carried by the casing and spaced fromthe point',

thereof, and feeding mechanism disposed within the casing including lead-engaging feeding members each movable forward toward the pencil point and backward away y from the pencil point, a rotatably mounted cam member, and means for angularly adjustin the cam member in either direction for e ecting a backward movement of one ofthe feeding members.

29. In a mechanical pencil, the combination of a casing having a point for the projection of leads, a magazine for leads carrid by the casin and srlzed from the point thereof, means or gui g the leads from 'the magazine to the point, 1 'ee1procating members operable one after the other for feeding successive leads through the guidin means from the magazine toward theyfpenc' point, means to cause said members to gripv the lead upon forward movement, and means for actuating said feeding members, said actuating means including a portion disposed exteriorlyof the casin for grasping.

In testimony whereo I have hereunto subscribed my name this eighth day of May,

JOSEPH E. KUCHER. 

